School is out! Or it soon will be.
As the days grow longer and the routines relax, how will your family spend the summer months?
Before you default to the ease and convenience of everyone staring at their individual screens and in different quarters of the house, I’d like to challenge you to be intentional with screen time during the summer months.
Here are some reasons why you should:
Your Kids Actually Do Want to Spend Time With You
Between eye-rolls and exasperated sighs, it’s easy to assume our kids don’t want us around. We might believe they prefer their friends or endless scrolling on TikTok and Instagram over spending time with family. But the reality is quite different.
A recent poll of school-aged children (ages 6-17) found that 73% of American kids actually want more opportunities to bond with their families.
This desire for connection is echoed in a recent study by WildBrain, which found that sharing video content together is one of the most significant ways families bond, third only to mealtime and travel. This is particularly true for Gen Z and Millennial parents: 71% of Gen Z parents and 61% of Millennial parents watch content with their kids at least once a day.
Seventy percent of families reported that co-viewing shows and movies leads to more meaningful conversations, enhancing communication and understanding among family members.
These findings highlight that spending time together watching shows, movies, or gaming is central to family connections. Previous surveys have also indicated that families who watch TV together feel a stronger sense of connection.
Parents, we may be missing a valuable opportunity to connect with our kids and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Nostalgia: A Powerful Connector
The research also highlights nostalgia as a key driver of connection. Eighty percent of parents feel that sharing the content they loved as children with their own kids strengthens family bonds. Revisiting classic shows, movies, and games bridges generational gaps and creates lasting memories rooted in shared interests.
Incorporating nostalgic content into family activities isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about building a cultural legacy within the family. When parents and children experience joy together through familiar content, they create traditions that can be passed down for generations.
Creating Lasting Memories
Embracing shared content consumption and gaming experiences, especially those with nostalgic value, can significantly strengthen family bonds. These activities provide common ground for parents and children, fostering communication, teamwork, and cherished memories.
Support Content That Reflects Your Values
More than ever, it’s important to support content that uplifts rather than divides. A growing number of independent studios are stepping up to create family-friendly, pro-faith, and pro-values programming—but they rely on grassroots support to survive.
This summer, keep an eye out for The American Miracle, a theatrical documentary that weaves together reenactments and expert interviews to tell the overlooked stories of divine providence in American history. Scheduled for release between Memorial Day and Flag Day, this powerful film can spark meaningful family discussion—and offer a welcome alternative to the usual Hollywood fare.
With strong audience support, these independent studios are carving out a new future for entertainment—one family at a time.
So this summer, when your child asks you to watch a movie, play a game, or rewatch an old favorite—say, “Yes!”
Choose connection. Choose legacy. Choose stories that matter.
Wishing you a summer of joyful memories and meaningful moments.
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Melissa Henson is the Vice President of the Parents Television and Media Council, a nonpartisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. On X: @ThePTC.
